vantix Diagnostics Inc., an early stage diagnostic developer, has relocated its U.S. headquarters to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell Innovation Hub. vantix previously had been based in New Hampshire and was looking to move within the Boston-area biotech corridor.
 
“We welcome Vantix, and look forward to partnering with them to create jobs, and further economic growth in the Merrimack Valley,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. “We are confident that the company will find here the talent, investors, partners, and customers that they need to maximize their success.”
 
vantix Diagnostics is developing a platform to deliver test results in real time at the physician’s office --- the company's system enables patients to complete their lab tests and discuss the results with their doctor all during the same appointment. This point-of-care platform leads to increased patient adherence and increased physician workflow efficiencies, vantix executives claim, which in turn, potentially can raise effectiveness and improve outcomes. The technology, capable of running routinely ordered tests on one device, allows for sample collection through health information management.
 
“The best thing about this location is that it allows us a tremendous amount of flexibility. Our needs for office and lab space will be dynamic through this growth period, however, we are not forced to sign a long term lease so we can grow and reserve more space as the business requires instead of leasing space that we don’t currently need right now,” vantix CEO Steve Lufkin said. “It also puts us close to the types of talent we will need as we complete development and enter the commercial phase of our point of care platform.”
 
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) has been working with Vantix since 2013 on its Bay State relocation. The Center awarded UMass Lowell a $1 million grant to create the Innovation Hub, and a $4 million grant to support expansion of the Massachusetts Medical Device Development Center (M2D2).
 
“We are excited to celebrate vantix’s decision to relocate their headquarters to Massachusetts,” said Travis McCready, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “This decision is further evidence of our investments and partnerships with UMass to transform the Merrimack Valley region into a global center for medical device and diagnostics entrepreneurial activity.”
 
UMass Lowell’s Innovation Hub fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, economic development and job creation by linking technology startups to resources needed for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of new products and services. The iHub – which includes space for dedicated offices, co-working, fabrication, meetings and events – opened earlier this year in the city’s revitalized Hamilton Canal District.
 
“We welcome Vantix Diagnostics to the UMass Lowell Innovation Hub and we look forward to supporting them in their technology commercialization efforts. By leveraging our broad portfolio of services and support, including access to the world-class research and facilities at UMass Lowell, Vantix is optimizing their resource utilization and accelerating their entry into the market,” said Tom O’Donnell, Director of the Innovation Hub.
 
vantix Diagnostics is a privately held company developing point-of-care diagnostics solutions ranging from sample collection through medical records integration.
 
The MLSC is an investment agency that supports life sciences innovation, research, development and commercialization. The MLSC is charged with implementing a 10-year, $1-billion, state-funded investment initiative. The MLSC claims to offer the nation’s most comprehensive set of life sciences ecosystem incentives and collaborative program.